I have two newly-purchased, unassembled, 48-inch-long top bar hives ready to put together. I have a carpenter coming Monday to cut a 6- x 40-inch window in one side of each of the two hives. Here's my question: Does anyone see anything wrong with the following plan?The walls inside are 11 x 46 1/2 inches. I plan to get glass panes that are 10 x 45 1/2 inches and let the rest on the bottom board and use short screws with small washers on the ends to hold them down (loosely).

I'm assuming that you are doing this to avoid having to rout a rabbit around the hole to accept the glass. If thats the case, why not just cut the glass 11 x 45 1/2 so you don't have a ledge on top for them to attach comb to? Then just attach at the ends with mirror clips. Only drawback I can think of, would be the area between glass and wood would a good place for ants and stuff to hang out. I think I would use tempered glass. My $.02

I'm assuming that you are doing this to avoid having to rout a rabbit around the hole to accept the glass. If thats the case, why not just cut the glass 11 x 45 1/2 so you don't have a ledge on top for them to attach comb to? Then just attach at the ends with mirror clips. Only drawback I can think of, would be the area between glass and wood would a good place for ants and stuff to hang out. I think I would use tempered glass. My $.02

"Mirror clips"! Had to Google that. Great idea... much better than screws w/washers. Thanks, Beev.Also, "...good place for ants and stuff to hang out..." Hmmm, hadn't thought about THAT. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm?

I'm assuming that you are doing this to avoid having to rout a rabbit around the hole to accept the glass. If thats the case, why not just cut the glass 11 x 45 1/2 so you don't have a ledge on top for them to attach comb to? Then just attach at the ends with mirror clips. Only drawback I can think of, would be the area between glass and wood would a good place for ants and stuff to hang out. I think I would use tempered glass. My $.02

"Mirror clips"! Had to Google that. Great idea... much better than screws w/washers. Thanks, Beev.Also, "...good place for ants and stuff to hang out..." Hmmm, hadn't thought about THAT. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm?

Beev, glad you thought of that! Seems that there's a caulk that I can use around the outer perimeter and the edge around the window; it's called Dap WeatherFlex, and the ad says that it adheres to glass.

sounds to me like there will be mostly glass and not much wood on one entire side of the hive. strength might be an issue if you ever have to move the hive for any reason. i can't tell anyone what to do, but if it were me i'd leave at least 3-4 inches of wood on either end and at least 2-3 inches of wood on top and bottom to give it more support. otherwise the glass is going to be taking all of the stress if it is moved.

sounds to me like there will be mostly glass and not much wood on one entire side of the hive. strength might be an issue if you ever have to move the hive for any reason. i can't tell anyone what to do, but if it were me i'd leave at least 3-4 inches of wood on either end and at least 2-3 inches of wood on top and bottom to give it more support. otherwise the glass is going to be taking all of the stress if it is moved.

Thanks, bulldog, I'll have him make the window 5" x 40" instead of 6" x 40".